Pelourinho: A Historical Heritage in Bahia

Pelourinho is the name of a neighbourhood in the historic centre of the capital of the Brazilian state of Bahia. This neighbourhood has a well-preserved Portuguese Baroque colonial architectural complex, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Architectural Complex

The architectural, landscape and urban ensemble contained within the polygon of the Historic Centre of Salvador is one of the most important examples of Portuguese overseas urbanism.

It was built on an acropolis, divided into two levels: the administrative and residential areas at the top, and the port and commercial areas by the sea.

Landscape and architecture

Combined with a unique topography, the landscape of this area is mainly made up of buildings from the 16th to the 19th centuries, with the monumental complexes of religious architecture, civil and military architecture.

Pelourinho offers groups of buildings and spaces that allow visitors to understand the model of cities founded by the Portuguese overseas.

Urban distinctions

The boundaries of the first city, morphologically planned and orthogonal, its expansion (less strict in character, with streets formed by uniform houses interspersed with groups of interspersed with groups of monumental architecture) and, above all, the distinction between the Upper City and the Lower City, ensure the identification of a landscape inherited from the colonial period.

Monumental phase of Bahian architecture

In the mid-17th century, with the wealth generated by sugar cane farming, the so-called monumental phase of Bahian architecture began, marked by the transition from Renaissance to Baroque style.

See the Map of Salvador.

Main buildings from the colonial period:

• Jesuit Church (currently Basilica Cathedral of Salvador)
• Church and Convent of São Francisco
• Church of Carmo
• Church and Convent of Santa Teresa (currently the most important Museum of Sacred Art in Brazil)
• Church and Convent of São Bento
• Church of the Third Order of St. Francis
• Governor’s Palace

See Churches in Salvador, Bahia

Important public spaces:

• Town Square
• Terreiro de Jesus
• Way of St. Francis
• Pelourinho Square
• Santo Antônio Square
• Boqueirão Square

Two-storey townhouses and solutions for building on uneven terrain are typical examples of Lusitanian culture.

Between 1938 and 1945, several monuments in the historic centre were declared National Heritage Sites to ensure the preservation of Largo do Pelourinho and its immediate surroundings.

However, this instrument did not prevent the progressive deterioration of the area, especially after 1960, when the centre lost its importance to new areas of urban expansion.

Information on the Historic Centre of Salvador

The Historic Centre of Salvador and the Pelourinho are related, but they are not exactly the same thing.

• Historic Centre of Salvador: This is a large area covering several neighbourhoods and historic sites in the city of Salvador. It includes Pelourinho as well as other historical and cultural areas such as Terreiro de Jesus, Praça da Sé and Largo do Cruzeiro de São Francisco.
• Pelourinho: This is a specific neighbourhood within the historic centre of Salvador. Known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and narrow, colourful streets, Pelourinho is one of the city’s main tourist and cultural attractions. It is famous for its historic churches, museums, squares and rich Afro-Brazilian cultural heritage.

Therefore, Pelourinho is an important part of the Historic Centre, but the Historic Centre includes other areas besides Pelourinho.

Videos – Tourist Attractions in Pelourinho and the Historic Centre

Tourist Attractions in Pelourinho and the Historic Centre

1. Terreiro de Jesus in Pelourinho
2. Cathedral Basilica
3. Church of Saint Peter of the Clerics
4. Church of the Third Order of Saint Dominic
5. Church and Monastery of São Francisco
6. Church of Our Lady of the Black Rosary
7. Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Rua do Passo
8. Jorge Amado House Foundation
9. Municipal Museum
10. Temporary Museum in Pelourinho
11. Benin House Museum
12. Ferrão Mansion
13. Abelardo Rodrigues Museum
14. Former Medical School
15. Museum of Bahian Gastronomy
16. São Francisco Square

See also the History of the founding of Salvador, Bahia.

1. Terreiro de Jesus in Pelourinho

In the early 1550s, during the founding of Salvador by Governor General Tomé de Sousa, the Jesuits were given an area to the north of the new city. Led by Manuel da Nóbrega, the Jesuit priests built the first small adobe chapel and the first building of the Jesuit College of Salvador.

Due to the presence of Jesuit priests, the square in front of the school became known as Terreiro de Jesus.

The college building was completed in 1590, and in 1584, Gabriel Soares de Sousa, in his work “Notícia do Brasil”, recorded that “… in this square and in a part of the street on the sea side, there is a splendid college of the priests of the Society of Jesus, with a beautiful and serene church…”.

The first small church built on the site in the 16th century was very small and fragile, and between 1652 and 1672 the Jesuits built a gorgeous church, considered the most imposing of the 17th century in Brazil.

The church’s Mannerist façade, made of blocks of lioz stone brought from Portugal, still dominates the square. The interior has magnificent gilded altarpieces in Mannerist and Baroque styles, with highlights including the carved wooden ceiling and the sacristy.

In 1933, after the demolition of the old Cathedral of Salvador, the Jesuit church was elevated to the status of the new Cathedral of Salvador.

In addition to the Cathedral, the Terreiro de Jesus is home to important temples such as

• The Convent and Church of São Francisco
• The Church of the Third Order of Saint Francis
• Church of the Third Order of Saint Dominic
• The Church of São Pedro dos Clérigos

These temples, especially the first two, are prime examples of Brazilian colonial art.

In the early 19th century, the building that once housed the Jesuit College was used as a hospital, and in 1833 it became home to Brazil’s first medical school. Unfortunately, the original colonial building was destroyed by fire in 1905 and replaced by an eclectic building.

2. Cathedral Basilica of Salvador

Built in the early 18th century, it is the fourth temple of the Jesuit College, the first chapel having been built in 1604.

Considered the richest example of Portuguese-Brazilian Baroque art, the church is clad inside and out in lioz stone and has two towers and wooden vaults on the ceiling.

On the façade, the niches above the doors contain images of three important Jesuit saints:

• Saint Ignatius of Loyola
• Saint Francis Xavier (Patron Saint of Salvador)
• Saint Francis Borgia

The interior of the church reveals the richness and complexity of the altar carvings, which tell of the evolution of architectural styles in Bahia over the centuries.

It is worth noting that it was in one of the cathedral’s cells that the famous priest Antônio Vieira died on 18 July 1697, whose sermons led to him being condemned by the Inquisition.

Among the tombstones in the church, the one of the third governor-general of Brazil, Mem de Sá, stands out.

The building also houses the Cathedral Museum, which has a valuable collection of pieces from the 16th to the 20th centuries, including gold and silverware.

3. Church of São Pedro dos Clérigos

The church is located in the Terreiro de Jesus, in the historic centre of Salvador, among low buildings. It is part of a site listed by IPHAN, which includes areas of the sub-districts of Sé and Passo.

Architecture and interior design

It has minor architectural value, mainly environmental. The interior is decorated in a mixture of Rococo and Neo-Classical styles, with a large panel on the ceiling standing out. In addition to the high altar, there are two altars at the corners of the transept.

The layout is typical of early 18th-century churches in Bahia, with side aisles covered by galleries. However, like other Bahian churches of the period, it does not have a transverse sacristy; this is a natural development of the “T” layout (see Palma), common in the 17th century.

Frontispiece and decoration

The rococo frontispiece (19th century) is late. The interior is decorated in a transitional style between rococo and neoclassical. Although the transept vault and ceiling are rococo, the altars are neoclassical.

Architectural history

• 17th century: The Brotherhood of São Pedro dos Clérigos had its chapel next to the old cathedral, where the Archbishop’s Palace was built in 1708.
• 1709: Archbishop Sebastião Monteiro da Vide granted the clergy of São Pedro permission to build their new church on the Jesuit embankment, on the site intended for the seminary. However, the church was built elsewhere, as the Brotherhood had acquired two houses.
• 1741: Royal order authorising grants to repair the church’s towers and frontispiece, which were in ruins.
• 1784: Reference to the purchase of land.
• 1802: Licence to continue work blocked by the Senate.
• 1887: A sacristy was added to the church. The current façade also dates from the 19th century.

4. Church of the Third Order of Saint Dominic

The church is located in the Terreiro de Jesus, in the Historic Centre of Salvador, among low-rise buildings that form part of the IPHAN-listed site, which covers areas of the Sé and Passo sub-districts.

Although it is a small architectural work, its value lies mainly in its environmental context. The interior shows a transition between rococo and neoclassical decoration, with a large panel on the ceiling. The church has a high altar and two altars in the corners of the transept.

The floor plan of the church follows a pattern typical of early 18th-century churches in Bahia, with side aisles superimposed by galleries. However, as in other Bahian churches of the period, the layout does not yet include a transverse sacristy. This is the result of a natural evolution of the T-shaped layout common in the 17th century, as seen in examples such as the church of Nossa Senhora da Palma.

The Rococo frontispiece, dating from the 19th century, is a later addition. The interior, with its mixture of styles, has a Rococo cross vault and ceiling, while the altars are in the neoclassical style.

Architectural history

• In the 17th century, the Brotherhood of São Pedro dos Clérigos owned a chapel next to the old Cathedral, where the Archbishop’s Palace was built in 1708.
• In 1709, Archbishop Sebastião Monteiro da Vide authorised the construction of a new church for the clergy of São Pedro on the Jesuit embankment, which was intended for the seminary. However, the church was built elsewhere after the Brotherhood acquired two houses.
• In 1741, a royal order granted subsidies to repair the towers and the front of the church, which was in ruins.
• In 1784, the purchase of a plot of land is mentioned, and in 1802 the Brotherhood received permission to continue the work, which had been stopped by the City Council.
• In 1887, a sacristy was added to the church. The current frontispiece also dates from the 19th century.

5. Church and Convent of São Francisco

The Church and Convent of São Francisco is located in Pelourinho, in Salvador, on a protected site listed by IPHAN. The main façade of the church opens onto an elongated square, where the cruzeiro is located, a typical element of Franciscan urban development that gives the place its name.

The Largo do Cruzeiro, where the cross stands in front of the church, joins the Terreiro de Jesus to form one of the most important architectural and historical complexes in Salvador. The Cruzeiro de São Francisco, connected to the Terreiro de Jesus, is considered one of the most interesting urban spaces in the city, largely surrounded by 19th century buildings.

The Convent of São Francisco, built around a square cloister, together with the chapel of the Third Order, form one of the most important monumental complexes in Salvador. The building is of great monumental value and, according to Municipal Decree No. 4,524 of 01.11.1973, the former convent farm was declared a non aedificandi area.

Architecture and decoration

The church has a three-nave body: the side naves, which are lower than the central nave, are separated by arcades interspersed with massive structures resembling chapels. The decoration is an example of early 18th-century Baroque, reflecting the ideal of the “golden church” that emerged in Lisbon and Goa in the late 17th century.

In addition to the interior decoration, the convent’s library is particularly noteworthy. The building has a basement and two floors above street level.

Tile work

The rich tile panels are another highlight:

• In the Chapel they date from 1737 and were made in Lisbon by Bartolomeu Antunes de Jesus.
• In the cloister, the tiles date from around 1746-1748.
• In the Antechamber and the Sacristy they date from the period 1749-1752.
• The towers and part of the façade have tiles dating from c 1805-1808.

Sculpture and influences

Among the sculptures, the figure of Saint Peter of Alcantara stands out, a beautiful work of Brazilian imagery.

The church differs from the typical Franciscan buildings of the Northeast, which usually have a single nave with two aisles leading to a transverse sacristy. The influence of the Gothic church of São Francisco do Porto and the traditional Portuguese-Brazilian Jesuit plan are evident in the layout of the church.

Façade and architectural influences

The Exuberant façade of the church is a development of the type adopted in the Matriz de Maragogipe, with some elements from the old Sé of Salvador, such as the central door flanked by two smaller doors in the style of triumphal arches. From the Church of the College of Jesus, the façade adopts the division of the rectangular body into five parts, with two orders of superimposed pilasters. The volutes on the façade derive from the style created in Cairu and can also be found in the Jesuit College of Santarém (Portugal).

The façade of the church and convent of São Francisco inspired other buildings, such as the church of Barroquinha and the Franciscan convent of Vila de São Francisco.

Ceiling and paintings

The nave has a coffered ceiling with octagonal panels alternating with square pillows. The ceiling of the convent’s entrance hall is decorated with an illusionist perspective attributed to José Joaquim da Rocha, around 1774.

Architectural history of the church and convent of São Francisco

• 1587: Foundation of the Franciscan monastery in Bahia.
• 1686: Friar Vicente das Chagas begins building a new convent and church with a grand plan.
• 1705-1707: Continuation of the work, with the construction of the roofing and the altar of the infirmary.
• 1707-1710: Completion of the cloister walls and start of the pillars.
• 1708: The first stone of the church is laid. The work was supervised by Manoel Quaresma. At the end of Brother Vicente’s administration, the church was almost complete, except for the transept.
• 1710-1714: Friar Hilário da Visitação continues the work.
• 1713: The church is consecrated and the construction is completed up to the height of the pulpits.
• 1723: Church completed, including sandstone frontispiece and installation of choir stalls.
• 1729-1732: Friar Álvaro da Conceição brings stones for the columns of the cloister.
• 1733-1737: The ceiling of the church is painted and decorated by Friar Jerônimo da Graça.
• 1737: Tiles are laid in the choir.
• 1738-1740: Friar Gervásio do Rosário completes the columns of the cloister, gilts the choir and side altars, and creates the large altarpiece of Saint Louis (currently Heart of Jesus) in the transept.
• 1741-1743: Friar Manoel do Nascimento lays the floor of the choir. The large altarpiece of Our Lady of Glory arrives from Portugal (in the transept, on the Gospel side).
• 1749-1752: Friar Manoel de Santa Maria completes the cloister and lays the tiles.
• 1751: Completion of the library ceiling.
• 1752-1755: Completion of the portico and altar. The tiles would be installed in 1782.

This timeline reflects the detailed development of the construction of the church and convent of São Francisco, which became a landmark of the Luso-Brazilian Baroque, renowned for its architectural grandeur and decorative richness.

6. Church of Our Lady of the Black Rosary

The Church of Our Lady of the Black Rosary is located on the former Rua das Portas do Carmo, in a triangular square in Pelourinho, Salvador, created by the demolition of a defensive structure. It is part of a site listed by the IPHAN and is considered a work of remarkable architectural value.

The church was built by the Brotherhood of Our Lady of the Black Rosary, one of the first black brotherhoods in Brazil. It took almost a century to build, with the brothers working in their spare time.

Main architectural features

• Facade and Towers: The facade, with bulbous towers covered in tiles, is an example of traditional Bahian religious architecture. The classical pediment has been replaced by a rococo model. The towers were completed in 1780-81.
• Interior: There are tiles depicting scenes of devotion to the Lisbon Rosary, dating from ca. 1790. The altarpiece of the main altar was carved by João Simões F. de Souza in 1870/71, and the ceiling was painted by José Pinto Lima. Among the sacred images, the following stand out Our Lady of the Rosary (17th century), Saint Benedict, Saint Anthony of Catigerona and an ivory crucifix.
• Original plan: The church was originally designed without side aisles, with only narrow passages connecting the nave to the transept. This changed in 1780 when the aisles were added.
• Influences: The architecture reflects influences from Franciscan churches in the northeast and the Church of São Paulo in Braga, Portugal. The traditional Bahian style is also present on the façade, similar to the Matriz de Maragogipe.

Construction evolution:

• 1685: The Brotherhood was approved by the Cathedral of Bahia.
• 1704: Archbishop Sebastião Monteiro da Vide grants permission to build the church.
• 1710: Celebration of the first religious acts.
• 1780/81: Completion of the new façade, side aisles and towers.
• 1815-1826: Renovation and extension of the church.
• 1870-1871: Radical renovation with the construction of the altars and the altarpiece of the high altar.
• 1895: The final gilding of the church was completed by Vitoriano Eduardo de Oliveira.

The Church of Our Lady of the Black Rosary stands out not only for its architectural and decorative beauty, but also for its role as a symbol of the struggle and devotion of the Afro-descendants of Salvador.

7. Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Rua do Passo

The Church of the Blessed Sacrament on Rua do Passo, in Pelourinho, Salvador, is an imposing structure perched on top of a hill, with views that stretch to the sea. Its elevated position is accessed by a long staircase, a monument in itself, symbolising a penitential journey. The staircase, isolated by railings, separates the church from the rest of the houses.

The history

• 1718: The parish is founded during the government of D. Sebastião Monteiro da Vide.
• 1736: The new parish church is built.
• 1737: A royal subsidy is granted for the construction of the chancel.
• 1938: The church was listed by IPHAN to preserve its historical and architectural value.

Architectural features

The layout of the church is typical of early 18th-century churches, with side naves covered by galleries and a transverse sacristy. The steep slope of the land led to an ingenious solution, where the ossuary, sacristy and consistory were organised vertically, on the same vertical axis.

The façade

The façade has three sections:

1. Lateral towers: Both have pyramidal crowns and curved finials.
2. Central portals: The three portals are connected by a single stone carving. Above, the entablature opens into volutes to accommodate a window supporting an oculus, aligned with a second oculus and a medallion on the axis of the pediment, crowned by a cross.

This series of decorative elements draws the eye upwards, symbolically leading to spiritual elevation.

INTERIOR

• Altarpieces: Dating from the 19th century, these are the work of renowned craftsmen.
• Tiles: The chancel is covered with tiles from Lisbon, dating from 1750. The nave has industrial tiles from the 19th century.
• Nave ceiling: Attributed to the artists António Pinto and António Dias, the ceiling features rich religious decoration, with themed panels that enhance the spirituality of the space.

The church is an impressive example of Brazilian Baroque religious architecture, preserving its artistic and historical value. The interplay between the decorative elements, the imposing staircase and its location at the top of the hill create an atmosphere of reverence and devotion.

8. Jorge Amado House Foundation

The Jorge Amado House Foundation, inaugurated on 7 March 1987, is located in two large houses in Pelourinho, in the heart of the historic centre of Salvador. This cultural space was created to preserve, study and exhibit the vast legacy of the famous Bahian novelist Jorge Amado.

Acervo

The Foundation houses an extensive archive on the work of Jorge Amado over four floors, including

• Books by the author, published in 60 countries on five continents.
• Films, videotapes and photographs documenting his career.
• Posters and personal items related to Amado’s life and literary work.

The room also celebrates the contributions of Zélia Gattai, Jorge Amado’s wife and also an important writer, who was elected a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters (ABL) in 2001. The collection offers visitors an insight into the life and work of the couple, who had a profound influence on Brazilian literature and culture.

The Foundation plays an important role in preserving the cultural memory of Salvador and Brazil, promoting literary activities and exhibitions, and keeping Jorge Amado’s importance in world literature alive.

9. Municipal Museum

The Municipal Museum, housed in one of the most beautiful mansions in Pelourinho, was inaugurated on 5 July 1973 and is linked to the Gregório de Mattos Foundation.

The museum is an important cultural and historical centre that brings together a diverse collection that includes

• Traditional Dolls of Bahia: Handmade representations that reflect the popular culture of the region.
• Sculptures and Tapestries: Works that illustrate the local artistic tradition.
• Ceramics and pano-de-costa: Items that are an integral part of the Afro-Brazilian cultural heritage.
• Ex-votos and rosaries: Religious objects that demonstrate local spirituality and devotional practices.
• Collections of life-size images of orixás: Representations of the deities of Candomblé, essential for understanding the Afro-Brazilian heritage.
• Personal belongings of the poet Castro Alves: Items that belonged to the famous Bahian poet, offering an insight into his life and work.

The Municipal Museum offers a comprehensive overview of Bahia’s rich culture and history, preserving and celebrating the region’s diversity and tradition.

10. Tempostal Museum in Pelourinho

A museum dedicated exclusively to postcards? Yes, it exists! The Tempostal Museum is located in Salvador and has around 45,000 objects. Founded in 1997, the museum houses the collection of Antônio Marcelino do Nascimento (13.06.1929 – 22.11.2006), a native of Sergipe with a passion for postcards. The name “Tempostal” was created by Antônio himself.

The museum’s collection consists mainly of postcards. Highlights include

• Belle Époque Collection
• Old landscape postcards
• Postcards of towns in Bahia and other states
• Various images from other countries.

In addition to postcards, the collection also includes postcards from the late 19th century and Eucalol prints, the first in the collection, which have historical, artistic and documentary value.

The entire collection offers a rich insight into the history, customs, daily life, architecture and beliefs of both Bahia and various parts of the world.

11. Casa do Benin Museum

The Casa do Benin Museum was inaugurated on 6 May 1988. The Casa do Benin Museum is the result of the cultural exchange between Bahia and the African country of Benin, through the city of Cotonou.

Owned by the Gregório de Mattos Foundation, the museum has a colonial exterior and an interior designed by the renowned architect Lina Bo Bardi.

Acervo

• Folk art from Cotonou, People’s Republic of Benin.
• Temporary exhibitions by local artists.

The museum offers a rich immersion in the art and culture of Benin and serves as a meeting point for cultural and artistic exchange between Bahia and Africa.

12. Ferrão Manor House

Solar do Ferrão was inaugurated on June 5th 1981. The Abelardo Rodrigues Museum is located on the main floor of the Solar do Ferrão, a building dating from 1701, in Pelourinho.

Acervo

• The museum houses the most valuable private collection of religious art in Brazil.
• 808 works of classical and popular art from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
• The collection includes pictures, paintings, oratories, altars, crucifixes and fragments of carvings.
• The exhibition covers an area of 536 square metres.

Its history

• The pieces belonged to the Pernambuco collector Abelardo Rodrigues and were acquired by the state government.

The Abelardo Rodrigues Museum is an important centre for the preservation and exhibition of Brazilian religious art, reflecting the cultural and historical richness of the country.

13. Abelardo Rodrigues Museum

The Abelardo Rodrigues Museum was inaugurated on 5 June 1981. It is located on the main floor of the Solar do Ferrão, a building dating from 1701, in Pelourinho.

Acervo

• 808 works of religious art from the 16th to 19th centuries.
• They include pictures, paintings, oratories, altars, crucifixes and fragments of carvings.
• It is exhibited in an area of 536 square metres.

Its history

• The pieces belonged to Pernambuco collector Abelardo Rodrigues and were acquired by the state government.

The museum is renowned for its valuable collection, which is one of the largest private collections of religious art in Brazil.

14. Old Faculty of Medicine

The first medical school in Brazil, the Old Faculty of Medicine is located in Pelourinho and is famous for being the setting for the character of Pedro Arcanjo, from the book Tenda dos Milagres, by Jorge Amado.

The building is currently being restored by the state government and private initiative and houses three important museums:

Afro-Brazilian Museum

• Displays African and Afro-Brazilian sacred art.
• Includes 27 panels by Carybé depicting the Orixás.
• Includes photographs by the French anthropologist Pierre Verger.

Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology

• It contains paintings, objects, photographs and indigenous funeral urns.

Memorial of Medicine

• It brings together books and dissertations on the history of medicine.

This space not only preserves academic and cultural memory, but also promotes the study and appreciation of African and indigenous traditions and knowledge.

15. Museum of Bahian Gastronomy

Located in the Senac Pelourinho complex, the Museum of Bahian Gastronomy is the first museum in Latin America dedicated entirely to gastronomy. Instead of displaying paintings and sculptures, the MGBA delves into the history of typical Bahian foods such as acarajés, vatapás and moquecas, offering a rich analysis of the ethnic, social and cultural references that shape Bahian cuisine.

Main attractions of the MGBA

Gastronomic History and Culture

The museum focuses on Bahian cuisine, exploring the creation and evolution of iconic dishes and their cultural influences.

Rooms of the museum

The museum has a theatre, an arena and a restaurant.

Walls of Santa Catarina

On entering the city, visitors are greeted by the Walls of Santa Catarina, the oldest and most important archaeological site in Salvador, dating back to the city’s foundation.

Acervo

• Films and photos: Documentation of Bahian cuisine and culture.
• Models and utensils: Various types of materials that help to summarise the evolution of Brazilian cuisine.
• Photographic Panels: Exhibitions by renowned photographers on various themes.

Specific exhibitions

• Acarajé
• Mandioca
• Rotating showcases: Periodically changing tributes.

Souvenir shop

At the end of the visit, tourists can buy sweets in jams, cookery books or have a coffee.

The MGBA offers a deep immersion into the richness of Bahian cuisine and the cultural impact of gastronomy in Bahia.

See Northeastern Cuisine.

16. São Francisco Square

The Largo Cruzeiro de São Francisco is an important urban space in the historic centre of Salvador. This square is known for its cross, which stands in front of the Church of São Francisco and is a typical element of the Franciscans’ urban participation.

Key features

• Location: Located in the historic centre of Salvador, it is part of the Terreiro de Jesus.
• Historical Significance: The square is an important link between two important architectural and historical sites in Salvador.
• Urban Elements: The cross in the square is a classic example of the Franciscan influence on the urbanisation of Salvador.

The Largo Cruzeiro de São Francisco and the Terreiro de Jesus form an important architectural ensemble that reflects the historical and cultural importance of the Franciscan presence in the city.

Tourist Attractions in Pelourinho, Salvador, Bahia

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